Equipment unit, information processing system, information processing method, and program

ABSTRACT

An equipment unit is disclosed, including a first obtaining unit which obtains first identification information for a parameter set for calculating a use amount of the equipment unit; a comparison unit which compares the first identification information and second identification information for a parameter set for calculating a use amount of the equipment unit; a second obtaining unit which obtains information on a difference between the parameter set related to the first identification information and the parameter set stored in the equipment unit when the first identification information and the second identification information differ; and a control unit which calculates an amount of use of the equipment unit based on the parameter set stored in the equipment unit, and the information on the difference and controls the use of the equipment unit by the user.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to equipment units, information processingsystems, information processing methods, and programs.

BACKGROUND ART

An upper limit management function is used in image forming apparatuses.The upper limit management function is a function such that execution ofprinting is permitted for the respective users within a range of anupper limit value for the respective users. Examples of the imageforming apparatuses which include the upper limit management functioninclude an image forming apparatus connected to a coin rack which isinstalled in a supermarket, a convenience store, etc. In such an imageforming apparatus, execution of printing is restricted to within a rangeof an amount dropped into the coin rack (below-called “a chargingapparatus”).

PATENT DOCUMENT

Patent Document 1: JP2011-150531A

In the above-described example, one charging apparatus is connected toone image forming apparatus. Therefore, the charging apparatus mayinstantaneously detect that use of the image forming apparatus by a userhas reached an upper limit to restrict the use of the image formingapparatus.

However, in a system for a large company, for example, one chargingapparatus may be connected via a network to multiple image formingapparatuses. In this case, one charging apparatus may determine a costof the print job for the respective multiple image forming apparatuseswhich are used in parallel to perform upper limit management. As aresult, load is concentrated at the charging apparatus and the imageforming apparatus places on hold a response to an inquiry on whetherprinting is possible, causing a likelihood of an increased time requiredfor printing (in other words, causing a likelihood in lowered ease ofuse of the image forming apparatus.) Moreover, making an inquiry to thecharging apparatus and printing by the image forming apparatusnon-synchronous in order to avoid an increase in time required forprinting could cause printing to be executed beyond the restriction tothe user before the response to the inquiry is returned.

Thus, it is possible to make the respective image forming apparatusescalculate the cost and compare the cumulative value and the upper limitvalue of the cost. In this way, load on the charging apparatus may belowered and instantaneity of the use restriction may be improved.

In this case, a set of parameters for calculating the cost needs to bedistributed to the respective image forming apparatuses. The set ofparameters, which is not necessarily stable, could be updated due to achange in price of a sheet or a toner. Therefore, it is desirable forthe set of parameters to be able to be easily distributed to therespective image forming apparatuses via a network.

However, distributing the set of parameters every time updating is madecould cause the communications load for distributing the set ofparameters to increase.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In light of the problems described above, an object of the presentinvention is to suppress an increased amount of communications load fordistributing, to an equipment unit, a set of parameters for calculatingan equipment use cost.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an equipment unitis provided, including a first obtaining unit which obtains, via anetwork, first identification information for a parameter set forcalculating a use amount of the equipment unit; a comparison unit whichcompares the first identification information obtained by the firstobtaining unit and second identification information for a parameter setfor calculating a use amount of the equipment unit that is stored in theequipment unit; a second obtaining unit which obtains, via the network,information on a difference between the parameter set related to thefirst identification information and the parameter set stored in theequipment unit when the first identification information and the secondidentification information differ; and a control unit which calculatesan amount of use of the equipment unit by a user which operates theequipment unit based on the parameter set stored in the equipment unit,and the information on the difference that is obtained by the secondobtaining unit and controls the use of the equipment unit by the user inaccordance with the calculated amount of use.

The embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to suppress anincreased amount of communications load for distributing, to anequipment unit, a set of parameters for calculating an equipment usecost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed descriptions when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of aprinting system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration ofan image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration ofan authentication charging apparatus according to the embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary functional configurationof the printing system according to the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining one example of a processingprocedure of a printing process;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a userinformation storage unit;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of an upperlimit management table stored in an upper limit information storageunit;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary pricing table stored inthe upper limit information storage unit;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of anintra-machine upper limit management table stored in an intra-machineupper limit information storage unit;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a logstorage unit;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining one example of a processingprocedure of a pricing table synchronization process;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of anintra-machine user storage unit; and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining one example of a processingprocedure of an upper limit management process.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Below, an embodiment of the present invention is explained based on thedrawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration ofa printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.In a printing system 1 shown in FIG. 1, at least one image formingapparatus 10 and an authentication charging apparatus 20 arecommunicatively connected via a network such as a LAN (local areanetwork), the Internet, etc.

The image forming apparatus 10 is an equipment unit which has a functionof printing print data which are registered in advance by a logged-inuser. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a function(below-called “upper-limit management function” of restricting use ofthe image forming apparatus 10 by the user to within a range of an upperlimit value set in advance.

The authentication charging apparatus 20 is a computer which managesinformation for authenticating the respective users with a privilege touse the image forming apparatus 10; information necessary for realizingthe upper limit management function for the respective users.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration ofan image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes hardwareunits such as a controller 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, a modem 14,an operation panel 15, a network interface 16, an SD card slot 17, etc.

The controller 11 includes a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, an HDD 114,an NVRAM 115, etc. In the ROM 113 are stored various programs and data,etc., used by the programs. The RAM 112 is used as a storage area forloading the programs, a work area for the loaded programs, etc. The CPU111 processes the programs loaded into the RAM 112 to realize variousfunctions. In the HDD 114 are stored programs, various data sets used bythe programs, etc. In the NVRAM 115 is stored various settinginformation sets, etc.

The scanner 12 is a hardware unit (an image reading unit) for readingimage data from a manuscript. The printer 13 is a hardware unit (aprinting unit) for printing print data onto a printing sheet. The modem14, which is a hardware unit for connecting to telephone lines, is usedto execute transmission and reception of image data via facsimilecommunications. The operation panel 15 is a hardware unit which includesan input unit such as a button, etc., that is for accepting an inputfrom a user and which includes a liquid crystal panel, etc. The liquidcrystal panel may include a touch panel function. In this case, theliquid display panel also serves a function of an input unit. Thenetwork interface 16 may be a hardware unit for connecting to thenetwork (regardless of wired or wireless), such as the LAN, etc. The SDcard slot 17 is used for reading programs stored in an SD card 80. Inother words, in the image forming apparatus 10, not only the programsstored in the ROM 113, but also the programs stored in the SD card 80may be loaded and executed. The SD card 80 may be replaced by adifferent recording medium (a CD-ROM, a USB (Universal Serial Bus)memory, etc., for example). In other words, the type of the recordingmedium that corresponds to the positioning of the SD card 80 is notlimited to a predetermined one. In this case, the SD card slot 17 may bereplaced by a hardware unit in accordance with the type of the recordingmedium.

According to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 doesnot have to include the scanner 12 or the modem 14.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration ofan authentication charging apparatus according to the embodiment of thepresent invention. An authentication charging apparatus 20 in FIG. 3includes a drive apparatus 200, an auxiliary storage apparatus 202, amemory apparatus 203, a CPU 204, an interface apparatus 205, etc.

Programs for realizing the process in the authentication chargingapparatus 20 are provided by the recording medium 201 such as a CD-ROM,etc. When the recording medium 201 which has stored thereon the programsare set in the drive apparatus 200, the programs are installed into theauxiliary storage apparatus 202 via the drive apparatus 200 from therecording medium 201. The installation of the programs, which does nothave to be performed from the recording medium 201, may be downloadedfrom a different computer via the network. The auxiliary storage unit202 stores thereon the installed program as well as necessary files,data, etc.

If there is an instruction for launching the programs, the memoryapparatus 203 reads the programs from the auxiliary storage apparatus202 to store therein the read results. The CPU 204 executes functionsrelated to the authentication charging apparatus 20 in accordance withthe programs stored in the memory apparatus 203. The interface apparatus205 is used as an interface for connecting to the network.

The authentication charging apparatus 20 does not have to be onecomputer unit. In other words, the authentication charging apparatus 20may be a computer system including the computer shown in FIG. 3 in amultiple number.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary functional configurationof a printing system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 10 includes acommunication unit 121, a printing control unit 122, an intra-machinetotalization unit 123, an intra-machine upper limit management unit 124,an authentication processing unit 125, etc. These respective units arerealized by a process which one or more programs installed in the imageforming apparatus 10 causes the CPU 111 to execute. The image formingapparatus 10 also uses a print data storage unit 131, an intra-machinelog storage unit 132, an intra-machine upper limit information storageunit 133, an intra-machine user storage unit 134, etc. These respectivestorage units can be realized using the HDD 114 or the NVRAM 115, or astorage apparatus. etc., connected via a network to the image formingapparatus 10.

The communication unit 121 controls communication with a communicationunit 221 of the authentication charging apparatus 20 to intermediateobtaining user information, or information necessary for the upper limitmanagement function. The printing control unit 122 executes a print jobfor a print data set selected by the user from print data sets stored inthe print data storage unit 131. In other words, in the print datastorage unit 131 are stored print data in association with useridentification information (below called “a user ID”). The print datastored in the print data storage unit 131 may be transmitted from a PC(personal computer), a smartphone, a tablet-type terminal, a mobiletelephone, etc., that are not shown, or it may be read from a manuscriptwith the scanner 12. The printing control unit 122 also reports aprinting execution event to the intra-machine totalization unit 123 andthe intra-machine upper limit management unit 124 every time printingcorresponding to one face is executed in the process of executing theprint job.

Based on the printing execution event from the printing control unit122, the intra-machine totalization unit 123 totalizes a use amount(below called “cost”) of the image forming apparatus 10 by the user andgenerates log information. The intra-machine upper limit management unit124 determines whether a restriction to the user is necessary based onthe upper limit value for the user and a cumulative value (below-called“a current value”) of the cost up to the current timing of the userrelated to the print job based on the cost totalized by theintra-machine totalization unit 123. If it is determined that therestriction is necessary, the upper limit information management unit224 stops execution of the print job by the printing control unit 122.The authentication processing unit 125 makes an inquiry on userinformation to the authentication charging apparatus 20 via thecommunication unit 121 and determines whether the user has a privilegeto use the image forming apparatus 10.

The intra-machine user storage unit 134 stores information on the userwhich was determined to have the privilege to use the image formingapparatus 10 by the authentication processing unit 125. Theintra-machine log storage unit 132 stores log information generated bythe intra-machine totalization unit 123. The intra-machine upper limitinformation storage unit 133 stores a pricing table obtained from theauthentication charging apparatus 20. The pricing table is a table inwhich are registered parameters for calculating the cost based on modesof executing the print job, such as print job setting information.

The authentication charging apparatus 20 includes a communication unit221, an authentication management unit 222, a totalization unit 223, anupper limit information management unit 224, etc. These respective unitsare realized by a process which one or more programs installed in theauthentication charging apparatus 20 causes the CPU 204 to execute. Theauthentication charging apparatus 20 also uses a user informationstorage unit 231, a log storage unit 232, and an upper limit informationstorage unit 233, etc. These respective storage units can be realizedusing an auxiliary storage apparatus 202, or a storage apparatus. etc.,connected via a network to the authentication charging apparatus 20.

The communication unit 221 controls communication with the communicationunit 121 of the image forming apparatus 10 to transmit, to the imageforming apparatus 10, information requested from the image formingapparatus 10. According to a user information obtaining request receivedby the communication unit 221, user information related to the user IDincluded in the obtaining request is searched in the user informationstorage unit 231. When applicable user information is found, theauthentication management unit 222 returns the user information via thecommunication unit 221.

The totalization unit 223 stores log information received by thecommunication unit 221 into the log storage unit 232. The totalizationunit 223 also reports results of totalization of the log information tothe upper limit information management unit 224. In response to thepricing table obtaining request received by the communication unit 221,the upper limit information management unit 224 returns a pricing tablespecified in the obtaining request, out of one or more pricing tablesstored in the upper limit information storage unit 233. Moreover, basedon the totalization results reported from the totalization unit 223, acurrent value of the user related to the totalization results, out ofcurrent values for the respective users that are stored in the upperlimit information storage unit 233, is updated.

For the respective users, the upper limit information storage unit 233stores a current value and an upper limit value for the cumulative costvalue. In other words, the respective users are permitted to use theimage forming apparatus 10 when the cumulative value of the cost iswithin the range of the upper limit value. The user information storageunit 231 stores user information of the respective users. The userinformation includes a user ID, pricing table identification informationwhich is applied to the applicable user ID, etc. The log storage unit232 stores log information transmitted from the image forming apparatus10.

Below, a processing procedure executed in the printing system 1 isdescribed. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining one example of aprocessing procedure of a printing process.

In step S101, the authentication processing unit 125 of the imageforming apparatus 10 accepts a login request input from a user.Inputting of the login request is performed by setting a card on a cardreader (not shown), inputting a user ID, etc., on a login screendisplayed on the operation panel 15, for example.

In response to the inputting of the login request, the authenticationprocessing unit starts an authentication process (S102). In theauthentication process, the authentication processing unit 125transmits, to the authentication charging apparatus 20 via thecommunication unit 121, a request for searching user informationincluding the user ID input with the login request (S103).

When the request for searching the user information is received by thecommunication unit 221, the authentication management unit 222 searchesin the user information storage unit 231 for user information for theuser ID included in the searching request.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a userinformation storage unit. In FIG. 6, the user information storage unit231 stores user information for each user having a privilege to use theimage forming apparatus 10. The user information includes a user ID, auser name, a use table type, etc. The user ID is identificationinformation for the respective users. The user name is a name of theuser. The use table type is type information for each type of a pricingtable to be applied to the applicable user. For example, the pricingtable may be defined for each department. In this case, the type ofpricing table differs from department to department.

If the user information which includes the user IS included in thesearching request is found, the authentication management unit 222obtains the upper limit value and the current value for the applicableuser ID from the upper limit management table of the upper limit storageunit 233 via the upper limit information management unit 224.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of an upperlimit management table stored in the upper limit information storageunit. In FIG. 7, the upper limit management table associates, with auser ID, a current value and an upper limit value of the user that arerelated to the applicable user ID to store the associated results. Thecurrent value is a cumulative value of the cost up to the currenttiming. The upper limit value is a value showing an upper limit for thecumulative value of the cost. The current value may be initialized to 0periodically (for example, every month, etc.). In this case, the upperlimit value is an upper limit value for use for each specified period.

Moreover, if user information including the user ID included in thesearching request is found, the authentication management unit 222specifies the latest version within the pricing table related to the usetable type corresponding to the applicable user ID, which is stored inthe upper limit information storage unit 233.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary pricing table stored inthe upper limit information storage unit. In FIG. 8, the respectivepricing tables include an ID and stores therein a cost for therespective attributes (black and white, color, A4, A3, Other) of therespective functions (copy, print). For example, in the pricing tablewhose ID is “A10”, the cost of Print in black and white is shown as“15”. The cost on other functions such as Scan, Fax, etc., may also beregistered. Moreover, for the attributes, the cost for other attributessuch as A2, 125 mm width roll paper, monochrome, etc., may beregistered.

Here, the ID of the pricing table includes a version number followingthe type of the pricing table. For example, “A10” indicates a pricingtable with the type of “A” and the version number of “11”. Moreover,according to the present embodiment, whenever the pricing table isupdated, 1 is added to the version number. Therefore, when the use tabletype included in the user information obtained is “A”, for example,according to the example in FIG. 8, “A1” is specified as the latestversion of the ID. While it is described in the present embodiment thatthe latest version is valid for all of the users, it may be set to havea different version valid for each user, for example. In this case, inthe user information storage unit 231, instead of the use table type,the ID of the pricing table may be associated for the respective users.

Next, the authentication management unit 222 returns the searched userinformation, current value, upper limit value, etc. (S105). Included inthe user information returned is the ID of the latest version of thepricing table, out of the pricing tables which belong to the applicableuse table type. When the user information including the user ID includedin the searching request is not found, the authentication managementunit 222 returns a response indicating that there is no applicable userinformation.

Next, the authentication processing unit 125 causes the operation panel15 to display information indicating success/failure of the login(S105). In other words, if the user information is returned, informationindicating the success of the login is displayed. If a responseindicating that there is no user information is returned, informationindicating the failure of the login is displayed. Steps S106 and beyondare executed if the login is successful.

The authentication processing unit 125 may store the returned userinformation in the RAM 112, for example, as user information of thelogin user. Moreover, the authentication processing unit 125 stores thereturned current value and upper limit value in the intra-machine upperlimit information storage unit 133 in association with the user ID.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of anintra-machine upper limit management table stored in the intra-machineupper limit information storage unit. In FIG. 9, the intra-machine upperlimit management table stores the user ID of the login user, the currentvalue, and the upper limit value.

Next, the authentication processing unit 125 and the intra-machine upperlimit management unit 124 execute a pricing table synchronizationprocess (S106). The pricing table synchronization process provides forsynchronizing information on a pricing table that is stored in the imageforming apparatus 10 for the login user with information stored in theauthentication charging apparatus 20. As a result, in the image formingapparatus 10, the pricing table for the login user would be the latest.

Next, in response to an operation via the operation panel 15 by theuser, the printing control unit 122 causes a list of bibliographicinformation on print data associated with the user ID of the login user,out of print data stored in the print data storage unit 131 to bedisplayed on the operation panel 15. Either of the print data sets isselected by the user, and, when the printing request is input (S107),the printing control unit 122 executes a print job on the applicableprint data.

FIG. 5 shows that, with respect to printing for each face, a printingprocess (S108) and an upper limit management process (S109) areexecuted. For example, for single-sided printing, one sheet of printingcorresponds to one face of printing. On the other hand, for double-sidedprinting, one sheet of printing corresponds to two faces of printing.

In the printing process in step S108, the printing process correspondingto one face is executed by the printing control unit 122. Uponcompletion of printing corresponding to one face, the printing controlunit 122 reports the printing execution event to the intra-machine upperlimit management unit 124 and the intra-machine totalization unit 123.The event is aimed at unilateral reporting of information, so that,after reporting the printing execution event, the printing control unit122 starts a process for the next face without waiting for a response,etc., from the intra-machine upper limit management unit 124. In otherwords, the process by the printing control unit 122 is executednon-synchronously with the process by the intra-machine upper limitmanagement unit 124 and the intra-machine totalization unit 123. In thisway, an increased time required for printing due to the upper limitmanagement function is avoided.

In step S109, in accordance with reporting of the printing executionevent, the upper limit management process is executed by theintra-machine upper limit management unit 124. In the upper limitmanagement process, if it is determined that use by a user is to berestricted, the intra-machine upper limit management unit 124 stops theprinting process by the printing control unit 122. As a result, theprint job is completed. Details of the upper limit management processwill be described below. Moreover, in step S109, in response to thereporting of the printing execution event, the intra-machinetotalization unit 123 also stores log information on printing whichcorresponds to one face in the intra-machine log storage unit 132.

When the print job is completed, the intra-machine totalization unit 123transmits log information on the applicable print job to theauthentication charging apparatus 20 via the communication unit 121(S110). When the log information is received by the communication unit221, the totalization unit 223 stores the applicable log information inthe log storage unit 232.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a logstorage unit. In FIG. 10, the log storage unit 232 stores loginformation for each print job. The log information includes a log ID, auser ID, a color attribute, a size attribute, the number of faces, thenumber of sheets printed, etc.

The log ID is identification information for each log information set inunits of the print job. The user ID is a user ID for a user related tothe print job. The color attribute is a setting value of a color relatedto the print job. The number of faces is the total number of printingfaces which are printed on in the print job. The number of sheetsprinted is the number of printed sheets output on in the print job.

Next, the totalization unit 223 calculates the cost based on loginformation newly stored this time (S111). The method of calculating thecost may be the same as the method of calculating the cost in the upperlimit management process in step S109. The intra-machine upper limitmanagement unit 124 adds calculation results to the current value storedin the upper limit information storage unit 233 associated with the userID related to the log information.

Next, when the logout request is input by the user (S112), theauthentication processing unit 125 executes the logout process (S113).In the logout process, the image forming apparatus 10 is disabled, forexample. For example, if a login screen is displayed on the operationpanel 15, an unsuccessful login causes the image forming apparatus 10 tobe disabled. Transmission of log information to the authenticationcharging apparatus 20 may be executed in a logout process. In this way,if multiple jobs are executed, log information on the multiple jobs maybe collectively transmitted to the authentication charging apparatus 20.

Next, details of step S106 are described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart forexplaining one example of a processing procedure of a pricing tablesynchronization process.

In step S201, the authentication processing unit 125 obtains userinformation of the login user. The user information of the login user isstored in RAM 112, for example, when user information is received instep S105.

Next, the authentication processing unit 125 compares a use table ID(below-called “a login time use table ID”) included in the obtained userinformation with a use table ID (below-called “intra-machine use tableID”) stored in the intra-machine user storage unit 134 in associationwith the user ID included in the applicable user information (S202).

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of anintra-machine user storage unit. In FIG. 12, for a user who logged intothe image forming apparatus in the past, the intra-machine user storageunit 134 stores a correspondence status between the user ID and the usetable ID at the past timing. In other words, in the intra-machine userstorage unit 134, in response to a login prior to the previous loginthat is related to the applicable user ID, an ID for the pricing tableobtained from the authentication charging apparatus 20 for the userrelated to the user ID is stored in association with the user ID.

When there is a match between the intra-machine use table ID and thelogin time use table ID (YES in S203), the pricing table related to thelogin time use table ID is stored in the image forming apparatus 10.Therefore, in this case, the process of FIG. 11 is completed withoutagain obtaining the pricing table related to the login time use tableID.

On the other hand, when the intra-machine use table ID and the logintime use table ID mutually differ (NO in S203), the intra-machine upperlimit management unit 124 determines whether the pricing tablecorresponding to the login time use table ID is stored in theintra-machine upper limit information storage unit 133 (S204). In otherwords, it is determined as to whether the pricing table corresponding tothe login time use table ID is obtained in response to a login of adifferent user and stored in the intra-machine upper limit managementunit 124.

When the pricing table corresponding to the login time use table ID isstored in the intra-machine upper limit information storage unit 133(YES in S204), the intra-machine upper limit management unit 124 updatesthe value of the use table ID for the user ID of the login user (inother words, an intra-machine use table ID) to the login time use tableID in the intra-machine user storage unit 134.

For example, when the intra-machine use table ID is “A10”, the logintime use table ID is “A11”, and the pricing table corresponding to “A11”is stored in the intra-machine upper limit information storage unit 133,the intra-machine use table ID is updated to “A11”.

On the other hand, when the pricing table corresponding to the logintime use table ID is not stored in the intra-machine upper limitinformation storage unit 133 (NO in S204), the intra-machine upper limitmanagement unit 124 determines whether the previous version of thepricing table related to the login time use table ID is stored in theintra-machine upper limit information storage unit 133 (S206). In otherwords, it is determined as to whether there is a pricing table with thesame type as the pricing table related to the login time use table IDand with a version number smaller than the version number included inthe login time use table ID. For example, the ID of a versionimmediately before “A11” is “A10”. When the same type of pricing tabledoes not exist, the search condition may be relaxed. For example, it maybe determined as to whether any pricing table regardless of the type isstored in the intra-machine upper limit information storage unit 133.

When there is a pricing table applicable (YES in S206), theintra-machine upper limit management unit 124 obtains from theauthentication charging apparatus 20 difference information on thepricing table related to the login time use table ID with respect to theapplicable pricing table (S207). More specifically, the intra-machineupper limit management unit 124 transmits, to the authenticationcharging apparatus 20 via the communication unit 121, a request forobtaining the difference information including an ID of the pricingtable (called “a reference use table” ID below). When the applicableobtaining request is received by the communication unit 221, the upperlimit information management unit 224 extracts the differenceinformation of the pricing table related to the login time use table IDwith respect to the pricing table related to the reference use table IDincluded in the obtaining request. In the authentication chargingapparatus 20, a known session management may be performed with respectto communication with the image forming apparatus 10, for example. Inthis case, the login time use table ID may be specified based on sessioninformation related to the request for obtaining the differenceinformation. Alternatively, the login time use table ID or the user IDof the login user may be included in the request for obtaining thedifference information.

According to the example in FIG. 8, when the reference use table ID is“A10” and the login time use table ID is “A11”, the pricing tablerelated to “A11” differs from the pricing table related to “A10” in thatthe value of black and white for a Copy function is “15”, while thevalue of A3 for the Copy function is “11”. Therefore, information suchas below is extracted as difference information.c. fc=15, c. a3=11

The applicable difference information includes a description in the formof [Functional identifier]. [Attribute identifier]=[Value] for eachpoint of difference. The Functional identifier is a symbol shown withinthe parentheses for each functional column of the pricing table. In theexample in FIG. 8, “c” indicates Copy, while “p” indicates Print. TheAttribute identifier is a symbol shown within the parentheses for eachattribute row of the pricing table. In the example in FIG. 8, “fc”indicates color, while “a3” indicates A3. The [Value] is a value of apricing table related to the login time use table ID at the point ofdifference. The form of difference information is not limited to theabove. For example, the difference in Value of the two pricing tables atthe point of difference may be set to [Value].

The upper limit information management unit 224 returns extracteddifferential information to the image forming apparatus 10 via thecommunication unit 221. When the difference information is received bythe communication unit 121, the intra-machine upper limit managementunit 124 causes the pricing table stored in the intra-machine upperlimit information storage unit 133 to be synchronized with the pricingtable stored in the upper limit information storage unit 233 based onthe received difference information (S208). For example, the ID of thepricing table related to the reference use table ID that is stored inthe intra-machine upper limit information storage unit 133 may beupdated to the login time use table ID, so that the differenceinformation may be applied to the pricing table. Alternatively, aduplicate of the pricing table related to the reference use table ID maybe produced, the ID of the duplicate may be updated to the login timeuse table ID, and the difference information may be applied to theduplicate. In the latter, a new pricing table is produced, leading to anadvantage that a pricing table related to the reference use table ID maybe held.

Next, the intra-machine upper limit management unit 124 updates thevalue of the use table ID for the user ID of the login user (in otherwords, the intra-machine use table ID) to the login time use table ID inthe intra-machine user storage unit 134 (S205).

Moreover, in step S206, when there is no applicable pricing table (NO inS206), the intra-machine upper limit management unit 124 obtains(downloads), from the authentication charging apparatus 20, the pricingtable related to the login time use table ID via the communication unit121 (S209). The downloaded pricing table is stored in the intra-machineupper limit information storage unit 133. Next, the intra-machine upperlimit management unit 124 updates the value of the use table ID for theuser ID of the login user (in other words, the intra-machine use tableID) to the login time use table ID in the intra-machine user storageunit 134 (S205).

As described above, for the pricing table synchronization process, firsta comparison of the intra-machine table ID and the login time use tableID is performed, and, if they differ, difference information is obtainedto perform synchronization of the pricing tables. In this way,redundancy of information exchanged between the image forming apparatus10 and the authentication charging apparatus 20 may be reduced and alikelihood of being able to reduce communication time and communicationload may be increased.

Next, details of step S109 in FIG. 5 are described. FIG. 13 is aflowchart for explaining one example of a processing procedure of anupper limit management process.

In step S301, the intra-machine upper limit management unit 124 detectsa printing execution event issued by the printing control unit 122. Theprinting execution event includes a user ID related to the print job, acolor attribute, a size attribute, the number of faces, etc., that makeup log information. In the present embodiment, the printing executionevent is issued for each face, so that the number of faces does not haveto be included in the printing execution event. Moreover, informationindicating a department to which the user ID belongs and information onother setting information such as stapling, punching, etc., may also beincluded.

Next, the intra-machine upper limit management unit 124 obtains thecurrent value and the upper limit value that are associated with theuser ID included in the printing execution event from the intra-machineupper limit management table of the intra-machine upper limitinformation storage unit 133 (S302). Next, the intra-machine upper limitmanagement unit 124 calculates the cost of printing corresponding to oneface that is related to the printing execution event (S303).

For example, suppose that the values of the color attribute and the sizeattribute that are included in the printing execution event arerespectively “color” and “A4”. In this case, according to the pricingtable whose ID is “A11” (FIG. 8), the value below is calculated as Cost.Cost=15+5=20

Next, the intra-machine upper limit management unit 124 determineswhether the condition below is satisfied (S304):Current value+Cost×2>upper limit value  (1)

The above-described condition (1) is for determining whether a faceimmediately subsequent to the immediately-subsequent face can beprinted. The upper limit management process is executednon-synchronously with the printing process (S108), so that, during theprocess in FIG. 13, printing related to a face immediately subsequent tothe face for the printing execution event related to the process isexecuted. Then, whether the immediately-subsequent face can be printedmay be determined to suppress an occurrence of a situation causingprinting which exceeds an upper limit value to be permitted.

For example, when the user ID is user 1, which is “1”, the current valueis 1980 and the upper-limit value is 2000 with reference to FIG. 7.Moreover, if the cost value is 21 as described above, the condition (1)would be satisfied as shown below:1980+20×2=2020>2000

When the condition (1) is satisfied (YES in S304), the intra-machineupper limit management unit 124 reports a stop instruction to theprinting control unit 122 (S305). In response to the reporting of thestop instruction, the printing control unit 122 causes the print job tobe stopped. Printing of a face at the time the stop instruction isreceived may be completed. This is because whether a face immediatelysubsequent to the immediately-subsequent face can be printed isdetermined as described above, so that what to be printed at the time ofthe stop instruction may be the immediately-subsequent face.

Next, based on the cost calculated in step S303, the intra-machine upperlimit management unit 124 updates the current value stored in theintra-machine upper limit management table in association with the userID included in the printing execution event (S306). In other words, thecost is added to the current value. For example, when the login user isuser 1, the current value is updated as follows:Current value=1980+20=2000

When the condition (1) is not satisfied, the print job is not stopped,so that step S306 is executed.

Next, the intra-machine totalization unit 123 totalizes log informationsets related to the applicable print job (S307). More specifically, whenthere is no record in the intra-machine log storage unit 132 that hasstored therein log information related to the applicable print job, arecord for storing the applicable log information is generated in theintra-machine log storage unit 132. The configuration of theintra-machine log storage unit 132 is the same as what is shown in FIG.10. Here, for the user ID, the color attribute, and the size attributeof the applicable record, a value included in the printing executionevent is transcribed. The log ID is newly assigned by the intra-machinetotalization unit 123. The intra-machine totalization unit 123 storesthe applicable log ID until the completion of the print job, and, basedon the applicable log ID, determines as to whether there is a record inwhich is stored the log information related to the applicable print job.When there is such a record, 1 is added to the number of faces for theapplicable record. Moreover, if the print job is completed, a value isstored into the record for the number of sheets printed. Step S307 maybe executed in parallel with steps S301-S306.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, calculation ofcost and comparison of the current value and the upper limit value areexecuted by the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, the instantaneityof the upper limit management function may be increased relative to whenthese processes are executed by the authentication charging apparatus20. However, in this case, the image forming apparatus 10 needs toobtain a pricing table. According to the present embodiment, the pricingtable stores a total of 6×2=12 types of parameters for 6 types ofattributes and 2 types of functions. However, in order to calculate thecost more precisely, parameters related to more attributes and functionsmay be stored in the pricing table. In this case, parameters related toat least several hundred types of attributes may be stored in thepricing table. Moreover, in a large company, one authentication chargingapparatus 20 could be assigned to at least several hundred image formingapparatuses 10. The communication burden on the pricing table by theauthentication charging apparatus 20 with respect to the upper limitmanagement function in the image forming apparatus 10 to which areal-time property is highly demanded in such a situation becomesunnegligibly large.

Then, according to the present embodiment, when the pricing tablecorresponding to the login user is not stored in the intra-machine upperlimit information storage unit 133, information on the difference withthe pricing table stored in the intra-machine upper limit informationstorage unit 133 is obtained from the authentication charging apparatus20. As a result, an amount of increase in the communication burden fordistributing, to the image forming apparatus 10, a pricing table whichis a set of parameters for calculating the use cost of the image formingapparatus 10 may be suppressed.

Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the use cost of the imageforming apparatus 10 is calculated in both the image forming apparatus10 and the authentication charging apparatus 20. In other words, theauthentication charging apparatus 20 calculates the cost on its ownbased on log information transmitted from the image forming apparatus10. Such a feature makes it possible to update the current value for thelogin user based on a new pricing table on the authentication chargingapparatus 20 side if a version upgrade of the pricing table is executedduring execution of the print job, for example. Moreover, a pricingtable corresponding to the respective candidate image formingapparatuses 10 to be replaced to in considering replacement, etc., ofthe image forming apparatus 10 may be provided to calculate the cost forthe respective candidate apparatuses based on the log information storedin the log information storage unit. As a result, in a use mode of theimage forming apparatus 10 in an environment in which the printingsystem 1 is installed, the image forming apparatus 10 which is more costadvantageous may be selected as what is to be replaced.

While an example in which the upper limit value and the current valueare managed for each user has been shown according to the presentembodiment, one upper limit value and one present value may be appliedto multiple users.

Moreover, the present embodiment may be applied for a function otherthan the printing function, or may be applied for use of an equipmentunit other than the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the presentembodiment may be applied for use of a projector, a teleconferencingsystem, an electronic whiteboard, etc.

In the present embodiment, the authentication processing unit 125 is oneexample of a first obtaining unit and a comparison unit. Theintra-machine upper limit management unit 124 is one example of a secondobtaining unit and a control unit.

The present invention can be implemented in any convenient form, forexample using dedicated hardware, or a mixture of dedicated hardware andsoftware. The present invention may be implemented as computer softwareimplemented by one or more networked processing apparatuses. The networkcan comprise any conventional terrestrial or wireless communicationsnetwork, such as the Internet. The processing apparatuses can compromiseany suitably programmed apparatuses such as a general purpose computer,personal digital assistant, mobile telephone (such as a WAP or3G-compliant phone) and so on. Since the present invention can beimplemented as software, each and every aspect of the present inventionthus encompasses computer software implementable on a programmabledevice. The computer software can be provided to the programmable deviceusing any storage medium for storing processor readable code such as afloppy disk, hard disk, CD ROM, magnetic tape device or solid statememory device. As described above, the embodiments of the presentinvention have been described in detail.

However, the present invention is not limited to such specificembodiment, so that variations and modifications are possible within thescope of the gist of the present invention that is recited in theclaims.

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of priorityof Japanese Priority Application No. 2014-027112 filed on Feb. 17, 2014,the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, via aprocessor of an image forming apparatus, a request from a user to usethe image forming apparatus and retrieving, from a network connectedapparatus, identification information corresponding to the user;determining whether or not the received identification information, viathe processor, is stored in a memory of the image forming apparatus;obtaining via the processor, upon the processor determining that theidentification information is stored in the image forming apparatus,information associated with the identification information; requestinginformation corresponding to the identification information, via theprocessor, from the network connected apparatus, upon the processordetermining that the identification information is not stored in memoryof the image forming apparatus; and storing in the memory of the imageforming apparatus, upon receipt and in association with theidentification information, the requested information corresponding tothe identification information.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theinformation corresponding to the identification information includespricing information.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein upon pricinginformation, different from the pricing information stored in the memoryin association with the identification information, being associatedwith the identification information in the network connected apparatus,receiving and storing the different pricing information in the memory ofthe image forming apparatus, in association with the identificationinformation.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein upon information,different from the information stored in the memory in association withthe identification information, being associated with the identificationinformation in the network connected apparatus, receiving and storingthe different information in the memory of the image forming apparatus,in association with the identification information.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the information corresponding to the identificationinformation includes information for calculating a use amount of theimage forming apparatus.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprisingcalculating, via the processor, an amount of use of the image formingapparatus based upon the obtained information for calculating a useamount of the image forming apparatus.
 7. The method of claim 6, furthercomprising controlling, via the processor, use of the image formingapparatus in accordance with the calculated amount of use.
 8. An imageforming apparatus, comprising: a memory; and a processor, configured toreceive a request from a user to use an image forming apparatus and toretrieve, from a network connected apparatus, identification informationcorresponding to the user; to determine whether or not identificationinformation, corresponding to a user of the image forming apparatus, isstored in the memory of the image forming apparatus, to obtain, upondetermining that the identification information is stored in the memory,information corresponding to the identification information, and torequest from the network connected apparatus, upon determining that theidentification information is not stored in the memory, informationcorresponding to the identification information, the memory beingconfigured to store the requested information corresponding to theidentification information, upon receipt and in association with theidentification information.
 9. The image forming apparatus of claim 8,wherein the information corresponding to the identification informationis pricing information.
 10. The image forming apparatus of claim 9,wherein upon pricing information, different from the pricing informationstored in the memory in association with the identification information,being associated with the identification information in the networkconnected apparatus, the processor being configured to receive and storethe different pricing information in the memory of the image formingapparatus, in association with the identification information.
 11. Theimage forming apparatus of claim 8, wherein upon information, differentfrom the information stored in the memory in association with theidentification information, being associated with the identificationinformation in the network connected apparatus, the processor beingconfigured to receive and store the different information in the memoryof the image forming apparatus, in association with the identificationinformation.
 12. The image forming apparatus of claim 8, wherein theinformation corresponding to the identification information isinformation for calculating a use amount of the image forming apparatus.13. The image forming apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor isfurther configured to calculate an amount of use of the image formingapparatus based upon the obtained information for calculating a useamount of the image forming apparatus.
 14. The image forming apparatusof claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to control useof the image forming apparatus in accordance with the calculated amountof use.
 15. An information processing system, comprising: an imageforming apparatus, including a memory, and a processor, configured toreceive a request from a user to use an image forming apparatus and toretrieve, from a network connected apparatus, identification informationcorresponding to the user; to determine whether or not identificationinformation, corresponding to a user of the image forming apparatus, isstored in the memory of the image forming apparatus, to obtain, upondetermining that the identification information is stored in the memory,information corresponding to the identification information, and torequest from the network connected apparatus, upon determining that theidentification information is not stored in the memory, informationcorresponding to the identification information, the memory beingconfigured to store the requested information corresponding to theidentification information, upon receipt and in association with theidentification information; and an information processing apparatus, asthe network connected apparatus, connected to the image formingapparatus via a network.
 16. The information processing system of claim15, wherein the information corresponding to the identificationinformation is pricing information.
 17. The information processingsystem of claim 16, wherein upon pricing information, different from thepricing information stored in the memory in association with theidentification information, being associated with the identificationinformation in the network connected information processing apparatus,the processor being configured to receive and store the differentpricing information in the memory of the image forming apparatus, inassociation with the identification information.
 18. The informationprocessing system of claim 15, wherein the information corresponding tothe identification information is information for calculating a useamount of the image forming apparatus.
 19. The information processingsystem of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured tocalculate an amount of use of the image forming apparatus based upon theobtained information for calculating a use amount of the image formingapparatus.
 20. The information processing system of claim 19, whereinthe processor is further configured to control use of the image formingapparatus in accordance with the calculated amount of use.